LNP Fails Public Housing Tenants On Security

Media Release.

Public housing tenants have been left in the dark on security with the LNP Government committing precisely nothing to update security screens and security lighting in key areas over the next year.

Shadow Housing Minister Jo-Ann Miller revealed during today’s Estimates Hearings that while the government had committed about $200,000 to upgrading public housing security screens in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast, no funding would be dedicated to the southern, central or northern Queensland regions.

Mrs Miller said in addition the government would not fund any upgrades to security and communal security lighting in any region during the 2013-14 period.

She said this followed a similarly pathetic effort in the 2012-13 period when just $10,000 was allocated for security lighting across the state – all of it in the Brisbane region.

“This is an appalling effort on behalf of this Minister and on behalf of this government,” Mrs Miller said.

“There can be absolutely no justification for caring so little about public housing tenants that their safety is just not a concern."
 

“What this Minister simply does not comprehend is that many, many of our public housing tenants are among our most vulnerable citizens."

“We are talking about young mums, we are talking about the elderly, we are talking about our disabled."

“If the Minister is refusing to give them adequate security by refusing to install security screens and security lighting is he going to hand out distress whistles so these people can feel safe?"

“The whole situation is shameful.”

Mrs Miller said during today’s Estimates hearing, Mr Mander had said he was "confident security standards are adequate”.

“I’m pleased that the Minister finds the situation adequate but that’s cold comfort to many, many tenants."

“Because cost cutting like this by the Newman government is making our vulnerable feel even more so.”